well if you search for a special player you can click on watch in the game client and filter for his name, but if you are looking for professional and/or event games, you maybe need to buy access via steam or the replays arent available at all.
so in the case VODs are only chance to see the game.

Seriously, dont watch Dota 2 replays or live games cuz you won't learn anything from it. You can see everything from the minimap even you change the view to Radiant or Dire. Try to watch Dota 1 replays it's much better imo, watch only the hero that you want to play see how he farms and map awareness